With a limited housing budget, which is better - Fairfax or MoCo schools?

[Anonymous]

We moved to Olney from a neighborhood in the Kennedy district a few years ago and I think we made the right move. FWIW, I commute to DC every day, and while the commute isn't great, the family friendly neighborhood and excellent schools in Olney are more than worth it. Check out Brookeville when you look at Olney (it's 20833) --- there are lots of affordable housing options in your price range (big SFHs on big lots) in great school districts (Greenwood, Belmont; Rosa Parks; Sherwood HS). Post back with specific questions and I'm happy to answer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The ones that have been added onto are out of OP's budget, but regardless, the location is awful relative to other options. Not to mention, that whole Saint B's cliqueishness thing. ~shudder~ We couldn't get out of there fast enough.

My sister's DD graduated from Einstein, where she had a great experience, then went on to an Ivy, where she did very well. She is in grad school now. I would not be afraid to send my kids there.

Can someone explain the reference to the "Saint B's cliqueishness thing" - is that a reference to a local parish? I thought Silver Spring was heavily Jewish, so I don't understand why someone would think there's an overly oppressive Catholic clique. But maybe I'm missing the point.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would seriously look at recent Washington Post articles about the way rules/discipline is being applied to kids in Fairfax schools. It scared the crap out of me that a school system could compromise children's future for something as silly as forgetting they brought acne medicine to school - suspending them, not apologetic at all, could-care-less attitude about the trauma the kid has suffered. Also case of kid who committed suicide after being suspended for silly reason. I'd never take that risk with my kids.

It's certainly less than ideal. Does MoCo have a more understanding policy? I'm not really interested in what the private schools do, since in my experience they are completely flush with drugs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The ones that have been added onto are out of OP's budget, but regardless, the location is awful relative to other options. Not to mention, that whole Saint B's cliqueishness thing. ~shudder~ We couldn't get out of there fast enough.

My sister's DD graduated from Einstein, where she had a great experience, then went on to an Ivy, where she did very well. She is in grad school now. I would not be afraid to send my kids there.

Can someone explain the reference to the "Saint B's cliqueishness thing" - is that a reference to a local parish? I thought Silver Spring was heavily Jewish, so I don't understand why someone would think there's an overly oppressive Catholic clique. But maybe I'm missing the point.

Saint Bernadette is a church with an attached school, on University Blvd. in Woodmoor. Many, many Woodmoor families send their kids there, and the neighborhood is very heavily St. B's-oriented.

Silver Spring does have a large Jewish population, particularly in Woodside Park (which is far nicer than Woodmoor), and in Kemp Mill.

[Anonymous]

Takoma Park: TPES, PBES, TPMS, Montgomery Blair.

[Anonymous]

Umm if you're thinking about public colleges -- move to VA where there are many more choices.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The ones that have been added onto are out of OP's budget, but regardless, the location is awful relative to other options. Not to mention, that whole Saint B's cliqueishness thing. ~shudder~ We couldn't get out of there fast enough.

My sister's DD graduated from Einstein, where she had a great experience, then went on to an Ivy, where she did very well. She is in grad school now. I would not be afraid to send my kids there.

Can someone explain the reference to the "Saint B's cliqueishness thing" - is that a reference to a local parish? I thought Silver Spring was heavily Jewish, so I don't understand why someone would think there's an overly oppressive Catholic clique. But maybe I'm missing the point.

Saint Bernadette is a church with an attached school, on University Blvd. in Woodmoor. Many, many Woodmoor families send their kids there, and the neighborhood is very heavily St. B's-oriented.

Silver Spring does have a large Jewish population, particularly in Woodside Park (which is far nicer than Woodmoor), and in Kemp Mill.

Only small pockets of Silver Spring have a large Jewish population (and large is relative). The vast majority of Silver Spring (which is very large) is not heavily Jewish. Our neighborhood (Forest Estates) also has a Catholic school (St. John's) and a large Catholic population. However, I don't think it is cliquey the way that I've heard that the St. B's population is.

[Anonymous]

Forest Glen neighborhood.
I used to work in Columbia -- easy 30 minute commute going against traffic -- coming and going.
I'm in DC now -- so just hop on the red line for 30 minutes
Hubby now works in Alexandria sometimes Crystal City...longer than 30 minutes but not horrible...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

You can get a nice small house in a friendly Silver Spring neighborhood for that. We love Silver Spring. If you pick your ES carefully you should be fine.


this was my thought

I respectfully disagree. If you pick a $350/400K home in silver spring ... what is the high school for that home? OP is looking at high schools and I'm guessing she would not embrace Einstein if she's leaving Kennedy, where she's now assigned.

I live in the Woodmore/Northwood Park area of Silver Spring. This is one of the best areas in Silver Spring. The houses go from about $350K to $500K so you can definitely get into this neighborhood (although the $350K end will likely need a kitchen remodel, etc.). The high school is either Northwood or Blair which are both great schools. The area is part of the down county consortium as well so highschool students can choose different magnets depending on their interests and attend any number of programs in the local highschools. I think most are by lottery except for the Blair Magnet.

Funny -- I am the first poster about Silver Spring and I also live in that neighborhood! We probably know each other ...

I agree; it's a great neighborhood.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The ones that have been added onto are out of OP's budget, but regardless, the location is awful relative to other options. Not to mention, that whole Saint B's cliqueishness thing. ~shudder~ We couldn't get out of there fast enough.

My sister's DD graduated from Einstein, where she had a great experience, then went on to an Ivy, where she did very well. She is in grad school now. I would not be afraid to send my kids there.

Can someone explain the reference to the "Saint B's cliqueishness thing" - is that a reference to a local parish? I thought Silver Spring was heavily Jewish, so I don't understand why someone would think there's an overly oppressive Catholic clique. But maybe I'm missing the point.

Saint Bernadette is a church with an attached school, on University Blvd. in Woodmoor. Many, many Woodmoor families send their kids there, and the neighborhood is very heavily St. B's-oriented.

Silver Spring does have a large Jewish population, particularly in Woodside Park (which is far nicer than Woodmoor), and in Kemp Mill.

Only small pockets of Silver Spring have a large Jewish population (and large is relative). The vast majority of Silver Spring (which is very large) is not heavily Jewish. Our neighborhood (Forest Estates) also has a Catholic school (St. John's) and a large Catholic population. However, I don't think it is cliquey the way that I've heard that the St. B's population is.

The Jewish population in Silver Spring is large relative to what the Jewish population is in other parts of the county and most parts of the country (and world).

[Anonymous]

We live in Northwood in Silver Spring, near 4 corners, but on the opposite side of 29 from Woodmoor. Forest knolls ES, Silver Spring International and Northwood High School. Just a few years ago it was Blair, but then Northwood reopened after being closed for 20 years. Houses are around $350, very diverse. Good elementary school. Close to the beltway. You also might consider Takoma Park as being between Columbia and Arlington, although prices of houses are higher there. There is very much a feeling of community. But higher taxes are a consideration since you have county and city taxes.

[Anonymous]

One of you two should begin looking for a new job closer to the other.

Is OP's job near a Metro line?

In that case I would focus on living somewhere in the Richard Montgomery or Rockville zones, pick a good ES feeder, reverse commute for hubby and a Metro ride for OP. No guarantees about house size, though.

[Anonymous]

Sadly, in this economy both school systems are going down. Probably doesn't matter which one you choose. You will be seriously frustrated and upset by the budget cutting developments. Then you may want to move out of the area.

[Anonymous]

Agree close-in TP or SS are good options. I used to commute to Arlington from close-in SS. Rock Creek over the Roosevelt bridge during rush hour when the lanes are all one direction is a bearable commute.

Can't comment on Fairfax, as I've only lived in DC and MD.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sadly, in this economy both school systems are going down. Probably doesn't matter which one you choose. You will be seriously frustrated and upset by the budget cutting developments. Then you may want to move out of the area.

To a place where unemployment and hence tax revenue is lower than Fairfax/MoCo and where the budget axe has not yet fallen, right?